Western Kansas world., 1887-01-15

actions against them. By taking edvantae
Of the laws proverbinl delay, BY increasing
the cost of litigation, by subjecting those
who are seeking their just rights TO innnm
pense exceed the amount in dispute, the rich
and the strong render the prosecution OF
just claims m mockery to the poor and the
weak, because the amount awarded, when G
6nal Judgment is at last obtained, does not
equal the expense of the contest for justice.
In view OF these facts thousands OF citizens
submit to wrong and suffer injustice TO be
done them, rather than resort to the courts
for redress.
The remedy have suggested to correct
the manii est and manifold evils OF our Ju-
dicial system may not be the best that can
be devised. But the necessity for afording
relief to the supreme court, and of provid-
ing for prompt hearing and adjudication
Of causes, and q less expensive and more
equitable vindication of individual rights,
Ii imperative. I commend this subject to
your attention, and earnestly hope that ede-
quete remedies will be provided to remove
the causes of just complaint have pointed
out.
LAWS AND sUPxKML COURT REPORTS.
Provision should be made for electrotyp-
ing the laws of the state, and the supreme
court reports, a. they are printed, SO that
new editions can be published to meet the
tipping these volumes would be small, and
its necessity is apparent. There are no
volumes of the Kansas laws now in charge
of the state ibrar an, for sale. Even the
edition of the session laws of 1885 was long
ago exhausted. OF the supr-me court re-
ports, volumes one to twenty-eight are cut
Of print. Volumes one To seventeen have
been printed by private dealers. to meet the
demand for them. The sale of these laws
and reports IL q source OF profit, not of OK
pense, to tho state, and there is always de.
mand for . much larger number then is
printed. OF session laws. 4,5O0 volumes,
are are now 40 pubiished. The original I edition S Of
eesh should be increased, and provision
should be made for electretyping the vol
umes, rs issued, 90 that the demands of the
future oan be supplied.
THE DISTRICT COURTS.
Two years ago called the attention of
the Legislature to the necessity for an equita-
bic division OF the state into judicial dis
tricts. We have now twenty -four district
jsdges, and II their labors were fairly ap.
portioned, not one OF them would be over
burdsaed, aad all the legal business of the
stata could be promptly and fairly dis
pa.cned.
But as the Judicial districts are now
formed, several of the judges have abund-
ant leisure, while others, holding courts
every month, are unable to keep their dock
cts clear. A general redistrieting of the
state would avoid the necessity Of creating
new districts, and thus prevent an increase
OF Judicial expenditures. Such Q rsdistriet-
ing is advisable for very many other reas-
ons, equally apparent and urgent.
OUR DIVORCE LAWS.
Grave complaints are made, from many
sources, concerning our laws relating to di.
voroe, which, it IL believed, establish such
grounds for separation ss inevitably tend to
make the marriage contract one carelsssly
assumed because easily abroRsted. At q
single term Of the district court in one
county, fourteen ai-orca~Asss. all brought
The most common ground for these suits is
abandonment for one year," and, between
parties who for any cause desire to obtain
divorce, collusion upon this ground is easy,
and the necessary proof readily furnished.
1t is believed that citizens of other states
are taking advantage of this loose provision
of our laws, and coming here for the sole
purpose OF obtaining divorce. Our laws
on this subject should be amended, and this |
Questionable provision repealed.
M TIE ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE.
During the last few years the duties de-
volyod upon the attorney general have been
largely increased. The passage of the pro-
hibitory law has, it IL fair to say, more than |
doubled the work Of his o&ce. Suits to set |
aside fraudulent school land sales have been |
numerous and e1aoting. Many cases of i'm
portanee to the state are being prosecuted
n the United States courts, as that of the
Pullman Oar company, to join the collec-
ion of taxes levied on its cars, and that of
he Educational and Endowment association
Ts. the state of Kansas. No provision has
'ver been made for the payment of costs
md other necessary expenses attending
uch suits, nor for the payment of such as
istants as the law directs tho attorney gen.
'rrl, in certain cases, to appoint. Adequate
appropriations to meet expenses and costs
vould greatly facilitate the prosecution of
tate cases.
THE STATE BOARD OF PARDoNs.
The state board of psrdons has held suon
meetings. as the law requires, has carefully
nd patiently INVESTIGATED all applications
las submitted to me full and intelligent re-
'orts Of its findings in each case, with such
recommendations as, in the judgment of its
members, the facts ascertained seemed to
1stify. The Legislature, in providing for
uch tribunal, acted wisely. The exercise
T the pardoning power by the executive, be-
ally without responsibility. It was, there |
ore, too often looked upon as an act of
ersonal favor; and the friends, family OF /
ounsel Of q convicted criminal inportuned {
,e governor for clemency, basing appeals {
q their affection, suffering or interest rather
ian on fair considerations of justice and /
lercy. The value of the investigation and 9
1vice Of such q tribunal as the board of {
ardons cannot, therefore, be estimated too {
ghly. The present board has discharged
duties with psinstaking ckrefulnsss, in
lligenoe and impartiality, letting mercy c
cit on tastice, but bearing in mind the fact b
,st, in seme instances, the strict letter Of /,
10 bond ts cruelty. il
DUB ELECTION LAWS. Il
Frequent complaints are made in the pub /.
0 press concerning the loose manner in o
hich elections are conducted, and it must 6
D evident TO every impartial observer that q
ar election laws need amendment Every Q
lfeguard which experience suggests as nec- =
IsaTy should be adopted to secure fair. 9
pueGt vote, to protect voters against decep. 4
on, and to insure an honest count of the :,
allots cast.
The registry law now in force is notoriously 9
Dfective. It promotes and encourages, 3
Ither than prevents, illegal voting. 1 re-
,eCtfully renew the recommendations en-
De = = - n ~